Garcia, Vigil: Reconsider CSU-Pueblo Cuts

(Jan. 14) – Reps. Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo) and Ed Vigil (D-Fort Garland) called out Colorado State University today, sending a letter to CSU Chancellor Mike Martin urging him to reconsider his decision to impose a $3 million budget cut on CSU-Pueblo.

Layoff notices to as many as 50 CSU-Pueblo staffers are reported to be coming as soon as Friday.

“Now is not the time to be weakening CSU-Pueblo, but strengthening it,” the letter said. “Now is not the time to be cutting jobs, but creating them.”

The letter cited a litany of reasons for Chancellor Martin to reconsider, including disparity in the apportionment of the budget cuts; CSU-Pueblo’s status as the only school offering four-year and advanced degrees in Southern Colorado; its role serving lower-income and at-risk students; and the impact of the cuts on Pueblo’s economy.